Star Geelong players Matt Stokes and Taylor Hunt caught in rip

STAR Geelong player Mathew Stokes was pulled from the water at the notorious Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast yesterday.

Mathew Stokes

STAR Geelong player Mathew Stokes was pulled from the water at the notorious Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast as the team's decision to travel north early almost turned deadly.

Stokes and utility Taylor Hunt were both approached by lifeguards after swimming out beyond the break and then struggling.

The two became caught in a deep gutter as they tried to return, prompting lifeguards to take action.

Stokes returned to the beach on the back of a jet-ski while Hunt completed the swim under the close supervision of lifeguards.

The drama unfolded in front of worried teammates, who watched on from the beach as Stokes was plucked to safety.

Neither player was injured in the drama and both have been cleared to play in next weekend's clash with the Suns.

Kurrawa was blacklisted by Surf Life Saving Australia earlier this year after the death of 14-year-old ironman Matthew Barclay during the national titles in March.

Two years earlier NSW ironman Saxon Bird, 19, was also killed at the beach after being struck in the head by a loose surf ski in cyclonic conditions, also during the national titles.

Gold Coast lifeguard superintendent Chris Maynard said his crews checked on Stokes and Hunt because they were struggling.

"It wasn't a major thing, just the boys were out the back and as they came back in one of them looked extremely tired," Mr Maynard said.

"He was tired and was struggling a little bit so we asked if he wanted a lift and he did.

"It wasn't a rescue as such, more a case of providing assistance, and he wasn't stressed at all once back on the beach."

Mr Maynard said conditions at Kurrawa were less than perfect.

"We had about a 1m wave and there was a sweep from south to north," he said.

"It wasn't perfect but it wasn't extremely dangerous. But it was deep water and there was a fair bit of movement."

Cats general manager of media and public relations, Kevin Diggerson, played down the incident.

"They just got too far out and the guards told them they should come back in," he said.

"I don't think they were struggling or fearing for their lives and putting their hands up.

"There are pretty strong currents there and the lifeguards know the beach better than we do, so it was great they told our guys when they were getting too far out."

The Cats playing group is on the Coast enjoying two days of relaxation before training begins on Wednesday.

The team arrived on the Gold Coast on Sunday night, following a win over Port Adelaide, while the coaching group will arrive.

"We did the same thing last year and it worked really well," Mr Diggerson said.

"It's a chance for us to get out of the cold winter in Geelong and get some sun on our backs on the Gold Coast."

The Cats are staying at Peppers Broadbeach, a five-star hotel less than 100m from the notorious beach.

Stokes was unavailable for comment but, ironically, the Cats will hold a media conference at Gold Coast theme park Wet'n'Wild today.


Kurrawa Beach

2012 Lifesaver Matt Barclay dies at the National Surf Life Saving Titles

2010 Lifesaver Saxon Bird dies at the National Surf Life Saving Titles